by Leah Holt
I was sure of that.
She was too incredible to just place in the hands of some guy I didn't know, and wasn't going to like.
Because despite my efforts to keep work and play separate, she had seeped in, sealing her place. Everything I'd ever looked for in the perfect woman was tempting my strength to keep the line drawn.
How long can I ignore this?
A shadow crossed the hood of the car, catching my attention. Lifting my head to look out the passenger window, my eyes shot open, jaw hanging loose. Every inch of sinew shook, firming in electric pops that radiated through my body.
Kinsley was walking down the driveway, legs glistening under the lights off the house. Her hips swayed, rocking side to side with every step. A tight black dress glazed her body like paint, covering her skin, but exaggerating her curves.
The wind blew up, catching her hair and fanning out the long strands. She looked like a goddess, sent from above to dangle her web of seduction. I was completely mesmerized, she looked so sexy, so smooth, so...
Forbidden.
Don't do this to yourself, it's not fair.
A smile perched on her bright red lips, eyes stabbing into my heart and coiling around like the twinge of piercing nails. Her strides were long and fluent, the heels taking her legs and extending them for miles. Miles I could explore, kiss, bite, lick...
“Ah, damn!” Kinsley yelled, catching her heel in an invisible divot in the pavement. Her shoulders shot forward, legs stumbling to catch up, palms slamming down hard on the hood of my car with a heavy thump.
Throwing the door open, I ran to her side. “Are you alright?” Stretching my arms out, I gripped her elbow, eyes darting over her body, looking for an injury.
Rubbing her ankle, she laughed. “Yeah, I'm good. Stupid driveway tried to throw me off, you saw that right?” Winking, she rolled her foot around while resting against the hood.
“Those evil driveways, always trying to ruin someone's swagger.” My hand brushed up her arm, fingers finding the dip in her spine.
Fire torched my hand, the intense burning climbed up my arm and clawed its way over my chest. I couldn't even innocently touch the woman without feeling some sort of aftershock.
Kinsley's eyes lit up, twinkling briefly before she tore them away. “Ready to try this whole date thing again? Maybe this time I won't injure the guy.”
The word date, stabbed my heart like a serrated knife. Was I ready?
No fucking way.
Swallowing hard, I forced the giant lump down my throat. “Yeah, sure, let's do this.”
Tilting her head, she eyed me curiously. “You alright?”
Pushing a smile out, I grabbed the trim of my door. “Absolutely, Beautiful, tonight's the night for you. I can feel it.”
“Oh yeah, you think so?” Slipping into the seat beside me, Kinsley rested her hands in her lap.
I tried so hard to fake my excitement, to make her think that I believed what awful words were coming out of my mouth. “I think this guy might suit you perfect.”
Wrapping my fingers around the steering wheel—if the fabricated ring had to breathe—I would've cut off its air supply. In the darkness of the car, I was hoping she didn't see my discomfort; nostrils flaring out, lips pulled in tight.
I didn't want to be bothered by the thought of her with another man, but it was there. Eating away at my nerves, making my knuckles drain to white.
You can't get involved with her. You have another family to find.
“I guess we'll just have to see.” Kinsley let her head drift towards the window, watching the buildings stream by.
I wasn't sure what she was thinking. Was she thinking about me the same way I thought about her?
Did she feel the same heat I did?
Forcing the thoughts away, I feathered the pedal and drove us to the next awaiting match.
Pulling up to the club, I parked the car. “Okay, the guy's name is Flynn—”
Giggling, she flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Flynn?”
My eyes shot to her throat, the pulse in her neck jumping as I raised a hand to the back of her seat. Watching her shudder with my arm so close, a warm flash stroked my face. My fingers itched to touch her again, to feel her silky skin, to wrap her hair up tight and yank her over the seat.
Clearing my throat, I pulled my hand back, wiping my palm on my thigh. “Yeah, Flynn. He's in construction, a little rough around the edges, but he has a son about the age of your daughter. I thought maybe that would be a nice connection for you two.”
Nice connection... We have a connection.
We blend perfectly.
How long will I torture myself with this one?
“You gave me more details this time. Why?”
Running a hand over my jaw, I said, “I have a confession. Taylor is a good friend of mine, he's the one I use for all first dates. The second date is an actual match I set up.”
“Ahh, I see. So Taylor was like a placebo, see how I do, and stuff. But this one's a real date, smart.” Shuffling in her seat, she tugged her skirt down nervously, breathing out a heavy gush of air.
The urge to stroke her thigh climbed through my thoughts. Balling my fist, I snapped my head towards the windshield. I couldn't look at her, she was making my muscles have a mind of their own.
With each passing second, I was becoming more and more aware of how much I wanted her. The longer we sat side by side, the more I inhaled the sweet flowery perfume, and watched her sparkle in the low lights; the harder it was becoming for me to keep my hands in place, to keep my eye on the job I was supposed to do...
To keep myself from turning the car around and bringing her home for the pure determination to make her mine again.
Control yourself.
But I don't want to.
Biting my lip, I watched the front door of the club. “I've had time to perfect my methods.”
“You've perfected a lot of things.” A playful smile teased her lip, lashes ruffling her lids.
She looked amazing, and it took every inch of control to not lean over and kiss her. My mouth was buzzing remembering her lips from the night at her house, cock sparking to life with how she felt wrapped around me, flashes of her naked body drenched my brain.
Chuckling, I dug my fingers into my hair. “Perfected... No. Impulsive, definitely.”
Nudging her elbow into my ribs, Kinsley leaned in close. “Impulsive isn't the right word, I'd definitely call it all perfection.” Reaching for the handle, she pushed the door open. “Let's go, Cowboy, it's time for me to get my toes wet.”
Wet, I'll get you wet.
I can get you so wet you'll drip.
Had she been thinking about our night together too?
She had to be. How could that be forgotten?
It was the most amazing night of my life, and I didn't want it to end. My heart stumbled through irregular beats, reliving every touch in quick bursts.
Trailing behind her, her ass rocked and jiggled as her feet hit the pavement. The muscles in her calves flexed under the heels, thighs clenching as she watched the placement of her feet.
“What are you looking at?”
“The ground, it doesn't always like me. You saw that earlier, walking can be dangerous.” Smiling, Kinsley picked at her fingers.
Taking a few long steps, I brought myself right to her side. Grabbing her hand, I slipped it around my forearm. “There, safety first.”
Her delicate fingers squeezed my arm, holding tightly. And I was happier in that moment than I had been in days. We were close, our bodies pressing into each other, each step closing the gap between us.
And I couldn't ignore the sick feeling of sending her into the arms of another man. A carnal need to scoop her up and whisk her away, careened around my skull. The image sat on my head like molasses, tugging her firmer into my ribs.
Never wanting to let her go.
I wasn't sure how long I was going to be able to keep those feelings at bay. The
danger of what my body reeled with, and mind was spinning with, had started to burn permanently into my brain.
Kinsley was my woman.
And she was right where she belonged, on my arm.
Chapter Twelve
Kinsley
Another club, another date, another night I was probably going to regret.
Not one single part of me wanted to do this for a second time. I knew deep down I had found the man that made me feel complete again.
Layne.
Everything about him made me tingle. One tiny thought of him was like a train wreck, and it was all over. My brain would turn into hot soup, revisiting our night. He touched me like he knew my body from the start.
Either that was pure attraction, or he was extremely skilled.
The club was packed, a hazy glow floated around the room like low fog. People were scattered around, dancing, laughing, clinking glasses high. But the energy did nothing to peel the dread of a date off my shoulders.
Another date, another chance to embarrass myself... And Layne set in the background watching.
Walking in, I was so close to him the scent of steel hit my nose, pulling on me harder. My hand was in his arm, and I wasn't ready to let go.
I didn't want to let go.
Deep down, I had wished the whole ride that this so called 'date' wouldn't show up. I was begging the driving force to let me get stood up. I had no interest in doing anything except stare at the man I truly wanted.
He asked me to make room in my heart, what he didn't realize was he held the key to the door.
Layne scanned the room, placing his hand over mine. Leaning in, his lips hovered above the shell of my ear. “He's here, are you ready?” His words washed my face, spreading like hot fire over my spine.
Shivering softly, I glanced up. “Do you want me to be honest, or just tell you what you want to hear?”
“Honest.” Layne's eyes hardened, reading my thoughts. But I didn't think he really knew what was going through my head.
Yes, I was nervous. And that's what he saw.
What he couldn't see was why. I wasn't nervous to meet another guy, I could have given a shit less about that.
I was nervous because my fingertips surged with electricity as I touched his arm. I was nervous because his lips had just been so close to my ear, I felt his words.
I was nervous because he smelled so good, and looked so damn sexy in his blazer, I wanted to yank him back to the car and take him in the small backseat.
He was everything I felt right in that moment, and I knew he couldn't see it.
Layne's fingers circled the nub on my wrist, brows reaching into his hairline. “You're going to do fine.”
“Yeah, fingers crossed.” I joked, raising my hand and braiding my fingers together.
“I'll be right over there if you need anything. Okay?” His hand stayed static on mine, holding tighter instead of letting go.
Nodding, I gripped tighter too. “Which one is Flynn?”
A long pause sat between us, Layne's eyes stretching deep into mine. His lips twitched, before he finally spoke. “He's at the table by the bar, scruffy beard, green shirt.”
There was something else in his gaze, like another thought had swept his mind. I was tempted to ask, but I let his thought disappear behind his lids as they washed it away. Blinking, I didn't look over my shoulder. “Face pubes, and barf shirt... Got it.”
Laughing, his fingers came up and brushed the hair off my face. “Go have fun, that's why you're here.” Cupping my cheek, his hand moved smoothly across my skin. “Because if you don't, I'm not doing my job.” The pad of his thumb hooked my jaw, fingers pressing the back of my neck.
Why couldn't he see what flew between us?
He didn't touch me like a friend, he didn't touch me like he was trying to reassure me. No, his touch was soft and delicate, it was filled with so much more than any touch should have unless it meant something.
His thumb on my jaw made me tremble, his fingers sent the hair on my neck into a standstill. The way his eyes bore deep into mine, and flashed with feeling, emotion...
Layne was denying the charge that crossed his skin, and I wasn't going to let him ignore it forever.
“You've already done your job, now you just need to see it.” Cocking my head, I smiled, and walked over to date number two.
I bet he could read my mind now.
Reaching the tall bar table, I held my hand out, and said, “It's nice to meet you, Flynn.”
When Layne said he was a bit rough, he definitely meant it. Shaking his hand felt like I was grabbing coarse sandpaper, his jaw was covered in wild, curly black hair, and his shirt looked like it was the one he wore to work that day.
Slouching into his chair, Flynn tipped back a bottle of booze. “Same here, Kinsley. Man, Layne said you were pretty, but he left out how drop dead gorgeous you are.”
Sitting down, I noticed the skin of his hands were stained brown, covered in deep cracks and raised callouses. Scuffed up and dirty work boots still dressed his feet, and the jeans...
Stone wash was definitely not flattering on Flynn at all.
Is this a serious date?
I wanted to try and give this guy a fair shot. If he was supposed to be a real match for me, I wanted to at least put some effort into it.
Especially if I couldn't have what I really wanted. Even though what I wanted was right there, a few feet away, and still untouchable.
Flynn teased his beard, gently stretching the curly hair. His lips split wide as he took a long sip of his drink. “You want a drink?” he asked.
“Yeah, sure.” Setting my hands down on the wood top, I clasped them together tightly.
Flynn waved his hand to the bartender, signaling him over. “This pretty lady would like a drink, anything she wants, just put it on my tab.” Winking, his hand fell onto the table, stretching closer to mine.
“Thanks, Flynn,” I said nervously, using the moment to brush a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and place my hand as far away from his as I could.
Trying to make small conversation, I asked him a few questions about his work, and his son. “Wait... So your son really thinks that he can run like Sonic?”
“Only when he's wearing his red water shoes. The kid even runs in place for a few seconds before he shoots off down the hall, or around the yard. It's hilarious.” Chuckling, Flynn reached into his back pocket, removing his wallet. “This is him, his name's Dean.”
“Awe, he's cute. He's got your eyes.”
So far, after two drinks, and a little discussion about our lives, I was starting to warm up to him. He was a really nice guy, not my type... But nice.
I knew my type— Tall, muscular, funny, and his name was Layne.
But at least this date was going far better than my last. No injuries yet, no awkward conversation, and spills. If I really thought about it, this was probably the best date I had ever been on.
The disaster meter was still at zero. All I had to do was keep it that way.
“Do you want to dance?” Flynn asked, twirling a thumb over his jaw.
Flashing a glance over my shoulder, Layne was staring us down with black eyes. His face was completely blank, gaze empty and distant.
The amber glow I had gotten used to had turned a solid charcoal, his eyes hunting down the man across from me. I smiled at him, but he didn't smile back. He remained stone still, expressionless.
Why does he look so pissed?
He's the one who brought me here.
If I didn't know any better, I'd say he looked jealous.
Stop being silly. The last thing he would be is jealous. He made it clear that he had a job, and no interest in dating himself.
Staring at him, I wanted some sort of reaction. A head nod, a little smirk, anything to let me know how I was doing.
But I got nothing.
As I was making the strangest facial expressions I could to break him from his mindless state, a woman slithered u
p to his side. Her hand slid across his shoulder, her ass cheeks hanging just below the hem of her dress. If you could even call it a dress, it looked more like a junior's size shirt that she tugged below her waistline.
Chatting way too close into his ear, her hand inched even closer towards his chest. A jealous rain came down and soaked my body, coating my back in hot sparks. The image burned into my brain, and I wanted to cut it out.
He warned you. This is work.
You are just a job to him.
My eyes began to well, the realization of how stupid and ridiculous I had been about my feelings for him, came up and smacked in me the face.
“Yeah, let's dance,” I said into the crowd that passed behind me. Standing up, I still watched Layne, his face hidden behind the well carved backside of some woman.
I wished I could have just made the jealous feelings invading my body disappear, but it wasn't that easy. He had been thrown into my life, placed here without my approval, and now I couldn't get him out of my fucking head.
Flynn crept up close behind me, arm wrapping my waist. His hips gyrated into my ass, swirling and bumping.
Cringing inside my head, I wanted to keep as much distance between us that I could. Spinning around, I stepped back, rocking my curves. Flynn tried to grip my wrist and tug me in, but I spun off, digging my hands into my hair.
I was trying to watch Layne, and maybe... Trying to get his attention back on me.
Sweat started to trickle over my neck, chilling my spine. My body swayed and rolled, dipping and grinding the air. Opening my eyes, the woman had taken a seat beside Layne.
Instantly my chest felt tighter, ribs hurting and aching deep around my heart. And no matter how much I tried to focus on the date Layne had placed before me, I was completely fixated on the mysterious woman at his side.
Dragging my fingers up my sides, Flynn's body pressed against my back. I could feel him there like a thick sludge, each twist embedding his hands firmer around my stomach.
His beard itched across my neck, my muscles convulsing to get further from him. I thought he was a nice guy, but that didn't mean I was ready to be man handled. Each pulse of his hips made his fingers jump and tease the edge of my breast.
Unfurling his grip, I turned to face him. “Can we dance with a little less touching? I'm sorry, I just don't know you well enough.” Making sure my words were delicate, but leaving no misinterpretation.